Genetics and Heritability Quiz

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What does heterosis refer to?

The phenomenon where the offspring of a single species exhibit greater fertility than both parents

The phenomenon where the offspring of crosses between species exhibit greater fertility than both parents (correct)

The phenomenon where the offspring of a single species exhibit decreased fertility compared to both parents

The phenomenon where the offspring of crosses within the same species exhibit greater fertility than both parents

What does heritability measure?

The potential for genetic mutations within a population

The influence of environmental factors on traits

Differences in traits within a single species

The extent to which genetics contribute to differences in traits (correct)

What is the selection differential (S) in the context of quantitative genetics?

The measurement of genetic variability within a population

The difference between the offspring's traits and the parents' traits

The ratio of heritability to response to selection

The difference between the trait mean after selection and the trait mean before selection (correct)

What does the response to selection (R) represent?

The survival and reproductive success determined by phenotype Signup and view all the answers

What is phenotypic selection (S) in quantitative genetics?

The determination of survival and reproductive success Signup and view all the answers

How is heritability (h2) calculated using the selection differential (S) and response to selection (R)?

S times R Signup and view all the answers

What is the equation for the response to selection in quantitative genetics?

R = Gb Signup and view all the answers

In quantitative genetics, what does the term 'selection differential' represent?

The difference in the mean of a trait between selected and unselected individuals Signup and view all the answers

What is the workhorse equation for quantitative genetics?

R = h2 S Signup and view all the answers

In the context of quantitative genetics, what do correlated characters pose problems for?

Natural selection Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using co-variances in quantitative genetics?

To determine the association between two traits Signup and view all the answers

What happens to weight and height in quantitative genetics if there is a positive co-variance between them?

Both increase if one trait is selected for Signup and view all the answers

What does the equation R = h2 S represent in quantitative genetics?

The response to selection with respect to genetic variation Signup and view all the answers

In quantitative genetics, what does the term 'narrow-sense heritability' refer to?

The proportion of total genetic variation that is due to additive genetic effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of co-variation between traits in quantitative genetics?

To measure genetic correlations between traits Signup and view all the answers

Why do correlated characters pose problems in quantitative genetics?

They complicate natural selection processes Signup and view all the answers

What does the equation R=Gb represent in quantitative genetics?

The response to selection with respect to genetic variation Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate source of variation according to the text?

Mutation-selection balance Signup and view all the answers

What does the coefficient of variation (CV) measure?

Dispersion around the mean Signup and view all the answers

What is the ratio of the additive genetic variance to the total phenotypic variation called?

Heritability Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism is common to maintain variation in a population?

Balancing selective forces Signup and view all the answers

What is the occurrence of two or more clearly different morphs or forms in a population called?

Polymorphism Signup and view all the answers

What is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean called?

Coefficient of variation Signup and view all the answers

What does frequency dependency selection look at?

Reproductive success due to frequency of morphs Signup and view all the answers

What does the partition of variance (Vp) represent?

Total phenotypic variation Signup and view all the answers

What is the ratio of genetic variation due to genetic effects to total phenotypic variation called?